Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The proliferation of mega cities around the planet is perhaps the most visible manifestation of the march of civilised mankind. Equally visible to us here at Black Magazine is the proliferation of
fans' we are experiencing on our Facebook page. Today, we crossed the 30,000 mark and outside our home fanbase in New Zealand now have 12 cities that are home to over 500 Black Magazine Facebook fans, some have several thousand. Other cities of note include; Melbourne, Brisbane, Santiago, Quezon City, New Delhi, Madrid, Milan, Mexico City, Berlin, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Los Angeles. We are, of course, deeply excited about this and welcome all new and existing fans to Black Magazine and our online sites. Whilst we hope to travel to some of these cities over the next year or so, some of our key contributors already live in them, and their contributions since the first issue continue to be essential to the Black ethos. In the meantime, here is a selection of images of these great (500 plus) cities, a trip around our online world. To our new online friends....

Sunday, March 27, 2011

This Tuesday, one of our New York teams comprising photographer Derek Kettela, fashion editor Michelle Cameron and hair and make-up artist Valery Gherman are heading upstate New York to the legendary town of Woodstock to shoot Ashley Smith. Smith, who has appeared in both Rushh and our own 1AM in recent times is one of the world's favourite gap toothed models and recently appeared on the cover of Beauty Inc with the mother of gap, Lauren Hutton. Our suggestion to the crew? Do NOT take the brown acid...

Monday, March 21, 2011

...while Mother Earth ravaged places close to us and dear to our hearts: Christchurch, Queensland and of course, Japan, have had to endure unfathomable difficulties recently. Here at Muriwai, on Auckland's West Coast, La Nina has delivered a pristine summer of gorgeous days, good surf and much loved family and friends. It has been surreal to watch, read and assimilate the images and information that has accompanied the devastation whilst we were experiencing a classic New Zealand summer, in Auckland. It has also been humbling. Every New Zealander has been affected by the earthquake in Christchurch and deeply moved to try and help. We have all been inspired by the strength of the people of Canterbury and their response and resilience. A great New Zealand trait.

Support, and more exactly, money is going to be required for some time yet to get the new Christchurch up and running. On Tuesday 5th of April Black Magazine is presenting an event featuring the combined talents of Salasai and Nick Von K Jewellery, a component of which will raise funds for the Christchurch Earthquake Red Cross fund. It will be a night of films, performance and an exhibition of photographs by Russ Flatt that will be silent-auctioned on the night, with the proceeds going to Christchurch. It is invite only but we will cover it here on Blacklog and our Facebook page. Here is a Muriwai sunset at the end of the golden summer...we feel very grateful...

Sunday, March 20, 2011

We are shooting portraits this issue with photographer Adam Custins, based upon the legacy of Rachael's great-great grandmother Te Pura McGregor and Rachael's ancestry, or whakapapa. We have realised the story in a modern-retro style with Maori, European and Chinese models. Rachael is also Samoan, German, Irish and Scottish in her bloodline so this shoot is all about representing the multi-cultural bloodlines that abound in Aotearoa. Adam has been shooting on large format Polaroid film and to date the models have been; Yasmine @ Clyne, Danielle @ 62, Eve @ August, Seon @ Clyne, and Henry and Grace.

Te Pura Manihera was a chieftainess of Ngā Poutama at Matahiwi pa, forty miles north of Whanganui and the daughter of Te Manihera who married Scotsman Gregor McGregor. She was the first Maori woman to receive an O.B.E (Order of the British Empire) and often led the haka for her tribe, sometimes in battle, in the late 19th Century. Later that night she would be comfortable integrating with the new settlers in a stylish Victorian ensemble and was capable of eloquent conversation. In one of numerous historical passages about Te Pura she is described as follows; "Pura was always beautifully dressed and never lost her grace and charm. She always walked slowly. At the same time she retained her skill in leading the haka, especially when it was one of welcome, and immediately afterwards, with all the dignity of true Maori aristocracy, she could adorn any (European) drawing-room, knowing instinctively what to do." Below is a photo of Te Pura (centre, with mere) and group at Tesla Studios, Whanganui, circa 1900...look out for the modern interpretation featuring Kiri and Jason Nathan, Ann Demeulemeester, Comme Des Garcons, Therese Rawsthorne, Wunderkammer Jewellery and more....Te Manihera, Te Pura, Maata, Te Huiakama, Hori, Rachael...arohanui..x

Saturday, March 19, 2011

This editorial featuring Kiri Nathan's AW 2011 range 'Hiamo' was shot by David K. Shields at Alberton House in Mt Albert on the day of Kiri's launch and show in the grand old building. It was a great night and Nathan used the building itself and its entire grounds to welcome us with a piece by the Atimira Dance Companyprior to a show on the steps and walkways in front of the house. Inspired by dancer Jack Gray's Te Rarawa whakapapa from Mitimiti on the west coast of the Far North, it was a haunting and beautiful piece that set the tone for Kiri's creations perfectly, and those of her partner Jason Nathan, who created the beautiful pounamu pieces worn by the models. Hair by Matthew Benns @ Stephen Marr. Make-up by Phoenix Cosmetics. Models for both the show and shoot: Lili Sumner, Cheryl Waterbridge and Sharni Ripohau @ Red 11, Yasmine Bidois and Seon @ Clyne, Nicola Harris @ Nova and Genevieve Mora @ Vanity Walk. All clothing by Kiri Nathan, shoes by Kathryn Wilson.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

This Sunday, in a collectively philanthropic effort, the founders of The Department Store are putting everything they have into raising funds for the people of Christchurch who have been so adversely affected by the Feb 22 earthquake. Karen Walker, Dan Gosling (BlackBox and Stolen Girlfriends Club), Stephen and Lucy Marr and Simon James will not only be donating every cent that crosses the counter to the Red Cross appeal but will also be spending the day there themselves to interact with supportive customers. Karen will be on hand to help style customers in store (has there been a better opportunity to have Karen as a personal stylist for a moment?), Stephen and Lucy (two of this country's best) will be cutting hair on the salon floor, Dan Gosling will be there with his team to help you pull together the slickest outfit you can and Simon James and staff will also be on hand, giving advice on design objects, books and interiors.

Add celebrities flipping sausages on the grill, top line DJs and the fabulous environment of The Department Store itself and you have a one-off, inclusive shopping experience that may never happen again. Be advised though, that Stephen Marr customers especially are urged to book early so call them on 09 488 0585 to do so...

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

As mentioned in a previous post we are loving the new M.A.C trends for the season. So much so that we asked photographer Greg Novak and make-up artist Natalie Dent to shoot a wee beauty editorial inspired by the trends. Natalie says, " I guess what I was going for was a innocent, young, fresh and feminine look for each girl. So I used colours from the new range mixed with other M.A.C products I have. Each model either had their lip colour taken back with foundation and lip conditioner over the top with a hint of pigment. I used muted soft brown eyeshadows to softly contour and shape the eyes. I used a mixture of pigments and pearly eyeshadows on the eyes and lips to appear fresh and only a little mascara to keep them looking less made up." Models are: Rhianon @ August, Seon and Yasmine @ Clyne, Kitty @ Red 11 and Anna @ 62 Models.

Ben Webb is one of the most enigmatic and interesting New Zealand artists. His first exhibition in 1996 represented the youngest ever showing of a NZ artist in a public gallery and not long after he went on to become the youngest NZ artist to represent NZ overseas. Ben has spent half the year in Berlin for over ten years, lived and shown in Buenos Aries and had European-based residencies and fellowships. For a boy from Dunedin, that's an international schedule. Over the years Ben has crossed over as much, if not more, than any New Zealand artist with the fashion industry. His collaborations include; Blanchet, Nom D, Carlson and Wunderkammer among others and his current exhibition features Elza and Nellie Jenkins (above and below) the twins made famous after their sojourn on NZ's Next Top Model. It is unlikely though, that fans of that show will be familiar with Ben's work. We think he is a genius, an artist who thinks outside the square and isn't afraid to cross the line. Here is a selection of his work, some of which is on display at Wunderkammer this week...

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

New Zealand double master photographer Chris Traill contributed one of our most memorable Black features ever, "Sea of Brown Faces' - a photo essay of the South Auckland Polynesian Festival. From March 25 to May 2, 2011, he is exhibiting a beautiful collection of his work entitled Toi Toi Design at the Auckland Botanical Garens, Manurewa, Auckland. It is a "unique series of imagery capturing our natural fibres and foliage, New Zealand's spirit, texture and light." The works are presented as montages of imagery woven together in a fusion between design and still life photography. All works in this must-see exhibition will be for sale.